Na Gaeil are the warmest of favourites for Munster crown

MUNSTER CLUB JFC FINAL Na Gaeil v Mullinahone (Tipperary) Sunday, December 8 Mallow GAA Complex Throw-in at 3.45pm Referee: Chris Maguire (Clare)

GIVEN that Kerry clubs have won the provincial title on thirteen occasions, and, that Tipperary have yet to produce a winner, suggests that the odds are stacked against Mullinahone in next weekend’s decider against Na Gaeil in Mallow. Indeed, a Tipperary club has only contested just one final, that being Kildangan in 2011 who were beaten 0-16 to 1-4 by by Dromid Pearses in the decider, and while one cannot in any way discount Mullinahone’s prospects the odds are stacked against them, and it would represent a pretty sizeable shock if Na Gaeil failed to capture their first provincial crown at this level.

Given that Beaufort beat Dromtariffe (Cork) after extra-time 2-13 2-12 in last year’s decider, and Knocknagree (Cork) were successful against Dromid Pearses, also after extra-time, 1-17 to 2-11, in 2017, the representatives from the Rebel county are always almost enevitably seen as the most likely to test the Kingdom’s representatives in this competition. Therefore, Kilshannig, also from Cork, were seen as one who could provide formidable opposition in the first round, and doubly so given the Tralee side’s inactivity for a prolonged period leading into the fixture. However, Na Gaeil exerted a firm grip from the outset of proceedings, and ultimately negotiated what was always going to be a testing opening encounter with a relatively easy 2-11 to 2-3 win.

Round two in the Austin Stack Park proved to be a complete mismatch with Na Gaeil recording a pretty facile victory over Michael Cusacks from Clare by 3-20 to 0-1, a result that again opened up the discussion concerning the imbalanced ranking of teams at this level.

Certainly, a fixture and a result such as this questions the credibility and competitiveness of the competition, and, as far as Na Gaeil were concerned didn’t in any way test their credentials in terms of their prospects both within the province and beyond. Their win in the St Brendans Board final last weekend provided them with a much stiffer test, but, realistically it was always going to be a game they were likely to win given their superior level of fitness and conditioning. Their performance overall wasn’t exactly out of the top drawer especially in offensive situations with some aspects of their finishing being well below par.

They took the opportunity to freshen things up with changes in personnel to their starting line up in attack. However, it wasn’t until they introduced some players off the bench midway through the second half that they functioned with a better degree of fluidity and confidence. So, while people mightn’t read that much into this particular performance or result it poses some questions as to what the make up of the starting fifteen might be, with some competition for starting spots.

Na Gaeil’s manager Donal Rooney earlier this week told The Kerryman that everything seems to be in place in terms of their preparation. There are a few aspects to consider, and maybe address, but with the required level of confidence within the group, along with the competition for places it will ensure that’s there’s certainly not going to be any level of complacency going into the game.

“Nothing new (injury-wise), just the few longterm who are still unavailable,” Rooney confirmed on Tuesday. “We have had two good sessions, and we will have a light session on Friday night, just a kick around. Definitely (starting places up for grabs), we had a very good A versus B game on Sunday, the ‘B’s did very well, so there’s competition for places, and it keeps people on their toes. And we intend to have another A versus B game tonight (Tuesday).

“We missed six shots in a row at the start of the second half (St Brendans Final versus St Pats), and on their kick outs we didn’t do well so we have focussed on that in the last few sessions. It’s a big benefit (playing in Mallow), it’s good that we have played there, we know the set-up, the warm-up area, so we are used to it. We have good experience getting to finals in Kerry, so we are used to it.

“There’s not a whole lot we can do about (the absence of a test to date in the competition), this is like a new season, but going back to the championship in Kerry, we had tight battles against Ballymacelligott on their home pitch, and we won against Gneevguilla without Jack Barry, so we have been tested. Similar to the last game (odds-on favourites) it’s for other people to be looking at that, we just have to set out our own standards.” On Sunday’s opposition, Rooney said he or his management haven’t seen the Tipperary champions. “We are doing a bit of research, but haven’t got a whole pile. To my knowledge they haven’t anybody established in the Tipperary senior set-up. We are starting to play well, which brings a level of confidence, there’s confidence and competition within the group which means that there isn’t going to be any level of complacency.”